Satisfied: Alex Vinatzer. © APA / CHRISTIAN PETERSEN

Vinatzer overjoyed: "I've been working on this for a long time."

Alex Vinatzer felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders after his podium finish in the giant slalom in Beaver Creek. Now the Val Gardena native hopes that this will break the ice for the Olympic season.

08 December 2025

From: cst

With a second place Alex Vinatzer has returned home to South Tyrol with his luggage. The Wolkenstein native surprisingly finished on the podium in the giant slalom in Beaver Creek.

“The race went exceptionally well,” Vinatzer told the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) afterwards. He was already satisfied with his first run, Vinatzer said. Nevertheless, he felt that more was possible. “I tried to push hard. Without fear, but taking some risks in certain sections,” Vinatzer explained. “In the end, it paid off, and I was able to secure my first giant slalom podium finish. That’s incredibly satisfying, because I’ve been working towards this for a long time.”

Alex Vinatzer was pleased with second place in Beaver Creek. Behind him: Henrik Kristoffersen. © APA / CHRISTIAN PETERSEN

After the US races, Vinatzer and his teammates will continue their campaign in Europe. "I'm taking a good feeling home from the USA. I hope that this momentum continues in the European races," the South Tyrolean concluded.